Huge win for car owners! All TSBs to be made public.
The Center for Auto Safety just made the NHTSA (US Government) make public the full text of all TSBs from now on. They are the same organization that has petitioned the NHTSA & filed lawsuits to protect car owners over exploding gas tanks & other major safety issues.
Whenever you drive in your car, you are safer thanks in part to a lot of work over the years by this small but very effective consumer advocacy group.

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

69,000 miles

I received a safety recall notice from General Motors in April 2004 indicating the tailgate cables on a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado I purchased were defective and would be replace when new ones become available. Both cables without warning in July 2004 while I was sitting on the tailgate. Luckily, I was not injured. But the potential for injury exists. I did fall to the ground. The cables were replaced by GM free of charge with the same style. I have contacted GM recently (Feb. 8 & 9, 2005) about the permanent replacement cables. They have informed me this vehicle is not part of the recall to replace the cables even though mine have failed before and I received a recall notice.

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

14,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The tailgate cables failed constantly. The tailgate straps broke and bent the hinges. Both hinges were replaced and a new tailgate was installed. The left rear tail gate broke. The tail gate fell on the bumper and bent both hinges on the right side scratching the tail gate. The plastic seal leaked. The cable was rusted. The right strap had too much slack and was not holding any weight on the tail gate.

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

miles

While driving strap to the tailgate sheared off. Consumer noticed that while the vehicle was parked the tailgate, cables, and tools were removed from the vehicle. Driver took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic determined that the tailgate and cables will not be replaced due to a manufacturing decision.

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

53,123 miles

The tailgate support broke on our 2001 Z71 Chevrolet Silverado, two days later the second one broke. This vehicle is driven and used by my wife, there is no excessive loading or pressure on the tail gate while open. Both cables are rusted thru and fractured in the same manner. The vehicle is never operated with the tail gate open.

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

60,000 miles

While driving, my tailgate took it upon itself to leap off the back of the vehicle nearly hitting a vehicle driving next to me, as it swung around the side by the only remaining cable and causing a sudden braking action from the vehicle immediately behind me which almost caused it get rear ended by the 4X4 behind it.

Silverado 3500

miles

While driving 50 mph a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the truck and pull over. Consumer noticed that tailgate cable snapped in half. Consumer was able to pick up the cables and place them in the back of the vehicle. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer this vehicle was not covered under the recall.

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

41,175 miles

The left tail gate cable on my 2001 Chevrolet 2500 Silverado short bed snapped dropping the left side of the tail gate onto the bumper. The tail gate was down at the time with dry wall entending onto the tail gate. The break appeared to be where the cable bends when the tail gate is closed.

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